Italy FC is looking to steal the second spot of their group standings by getting the maximum points against North Macedonia FC. In the standings, these two teams are actually just next to each other, with three-point difference. Italy is at the third, earning 10 points from their campaign, and is three points away from the second spot. Meanwhile, North Macedonia is at the fourth of the group standings, having only seven points. They are winless in their last three matches, which does not give them a good momentum here. This is not the first time that Italy and North Macedonia will meet, as they already have met four times in the European qualifiers. None of them have the advantage, as they both won one game apiece. This meeting is on November 18, 2023, at 3:45 AM (GMT+8).
Italy FC
Gianluca Scamacca scored a goal in London during the Euro 2020 final, but England’s lackadaisical defending led to a tie. Italy’s four-game unbeaten run in Group C ended with defeats to England, bringing them back into top-two contention. Italy and Ukraine are currently in a two-team shootout for the runners-up berth, with Italy currently three points behind their fellow hopefuls. A victory on Friday would leave Italy needing just a draw from Monday’s crunch clash with the Blue and Yellow to qualify directly. Failure to sink North Macedonia would require Italy to defeat Ukraine on the final matchday to finish in the top two. Italy is in good form, losing only one home Euros qualifier since the turn of the millennium.
There are notable absentees for this match, which is unfortunate, as this is a crucial match for them. Giovanni Di Lorenzo is suspended in this match, which is why he cannot play here. Toloi, Meret, Locatelli, Bastoni, and Calabria, are also absent here, due to their own injuries. Defenders Udogie, and Scalvini are also unavailable due to injuries, which is why Cambiaso was called-up here.
North Macedonia FC
North Macedonia suffered their second defeat of the qualifying campaign, losing 3-1 to England. Gianluca Scamacca scored in the 15th minute, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo assisted. England came back with Harry Kane’s goal and Marcus Rashford’s goal in the 57th minute, securing their place in the main event. North Macedonia’s two-game unbeaten run ended last month with a 2-0 loss to Ukraine. They have lost four of their last five away games across all competitions and have lost four of their last six away games in European qualifiers. They have been unbeaten in their last three meetings against the hosts. North Macedonia have been unbeaten in their last three meetings with the Euro 2020 winners since a narrow 3-2 loss to Italy in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.
Stefan Ristovski have yet to be called upon in this match, where his last participation with the group was last June. However, this time, Valon Ethemi, and Ljupcho Doriev are both called upon in this match.
Prediction:
Italy FC (2.5)
Odds: -0.89
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